The Scandinavian Textile Initiative For Climate Action (STICA)
Policy Positions
The Scandinavian Textile Initiative For Climate Action (STICA)
Policy Positions
Current Policy & Legislative Positions
When it comes to climate action, STICA has developed a significant understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing apparel and textile companies and the industry overall.
Based on our work and analysis to date we have concluded that no matter how ambitious companies are in regards to climate action, without substantial changes in legislation, serious financial investment and rapid innovation, the pace of greenhouse gas reductions for companies and the industry overall will be too slow, and most likely, insignificant.
This means our political leaders and industry champions need to get serious about their critical role in enabling this industry to transform at the pace and scale required. They need to design and support legislation to ensure the business case for investing in ambitious climate action is undeniable and unavoidable.
That is why The Sustainable Fashion Academy (SFA) and the Scandinavian Textile Initiative for Climate Action (STICA) warmly welcomed the EU Commission’s Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles published in March 2022. Stringent legislation, addressing the underlying drivers for unsustainable practices in the sector and enabling the rapid transformation of the industry, is urgent.
Some of the policy initiatives proposed or anticipated by the EU Commission under the Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles will be key in delivering emission reductions (e.g. Eco-design for Sustainable Products Regulation, Corporate Sustainability Due-Diligence Directive). However, to fully decarbonize the industry, further legislative action will be critical. To halve emissions in upstream production by 2030, the industry will need to decarbonize every stage of the process. Achieving a carbon neutral apparel and textiles industry will be dependent on robust and efficient climate legislation.
We Support the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD)
We, committed members of the Scandinavian Textile Initiative for Climate Action (STICA) Company Climate Action Program, represent a significant part of the apparel industry in the Nordic region. Our ambition is to be leaders when it comes to environmental performance and human rights due diligence. This includes our commitment to meeting science-based targets for greenhouse gas emissions reductions.
We support the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). We see this as an important opportunity to raise the bar and strengthen responsible business practices. An EU level framework would also mitigate fragmentation of national initiatives and thus lead to a more level playing field so we can continue working towards the much needed transformation of our industry which includes respecting human rights and thriving within the planetary boundaries.
We need bold and courageous leadership from both policy makers and business. Therefore, we encourage national governments, the European Commission and the European parliament to come together to find an agreement on this important legislation.
Policy Recommendations for 2024-2029: Prioritising Climate Action in the Textile Industry
The next EU mandate should witness an execution of the European Green Deal, ensuring a fair transition to a low-carbon economy, while placing greater emphasis on enabling industry to align with science-based climate targets. Unfortunately, the current scope of the legislation falls short of what is required. During the next mandate period, we ask the EU Commission to prioritise the task of bridging these gaps by addressing the critical areas highlighted in the paper. Moreover, SFA eagerly anticipates further collaboration with policymakers and the broader value chain to achieve the goals outlined in the EU Green Deal. We believe that engagement of industry stakeholders is pivotal to crafting impactful policies. It is imperative that the framework developed remains pertinent, feasible and capable of driving positive change throughout the entire industry.
Position on WFD: Advancing the Circular Economy of textiles
Waste prevention has been confirmed as a key priority within the European Green Deal (EGD) and the Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP) by the European Commission. In July 2023, the European Commission released a legislative proposal to amend the EU Waste Framework Directive, which included the introduction of a mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme for textiles. Although SFA supports the idea of an EU EPR scheme for textiles, we also believe that the proposal misses several important aspects. The revised WFD does not mention the importance of circular business models or textile reduction targets and it does not place enough emphasis on defining clear end-of-waste criteria. Furthermore, the suggested EPR scheme falls short in prioritising waste prevention, which limits its effectiveness in addressing the issue of overproduction and tackling fast fashion.
EU proposal for Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive
In regards to the EU proposal for Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, SFA and STICA are calling for more stringent climate action to be considered in the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive. We specifically ask to:
Introduce an intermediate emissions reduction target of 55% by 2030 (compared with 1990 levels) as mandatory in the Climate Action Plan foreseen in Article 15 and in line with European Climate Law;
Clarify that the Climate Action Plan must include companies’ value chain and therefore covers Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions;
Extend the scope of this obligation and require all large, small and medium-sized companies to adopt a Climate Action Plan; and
Include the Paris Agreement in the list of Conventions in Annex 2, in order to extend the due diligence obligations to climate adverse impacts, while excluding SMEs from the civil liability regime of climate due diligence.
EP INI report on the EU Textile Strategy
SFA and STICA are calling for more stringent climate action to be considered in the EP INI report on the EU Textile Strategy. We specifically ask for:
Adopting stronger climate policy (targets) requiring companies to reduce emissions aligned with science;
Adopting economic incentives to make the needed transition economically viable for brands, retailers and manufacturers in the supply chain; and
Providing public finance to support the transition and bridge the ‘finance gap’, especially for SMEs.
Contact Us
SFA and STICA welcome and encourage feedback from companies, industry actors and stakeholders regarding these positions. Please contact Michael Schragger at michael@sustainablefashionacademy.org for more information.